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Winners all the way!

The seventh annual THE Free Press Journal Management Scholarships and the third annual Higher Education Forum Scholarships were awarded to the deserving winners on November 11. Shraddha Kamdar reports

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India, once said that “Teaching by tongue can be perspired but by good deed can stay stronger.” That is why, when his birth anniversary, November 11, is commemorated with observing National Education Day in the country. Every year, National Education Day poses an even greater importance for The Free Press Journal, since the Free Press Journal Management scholarships are given to the deserving winners, along with the Higher Education Forum (HEF) Scholarships.

This year, the seventh annual Free Press Journal (FPJ) Management Scholarships and the third annual Higher Education Forum Scholarships were awarded November 11 at an event held at ITM Business School, Kharghar. The FPJ Management Scholarships was set up seven years ago in association with HEF as part of its philanthropic activity. In the same spirit, the HEF also established the

HEF scholarship two years ago to provide financial impetus to the five motivated students.

A total of 16 scholarships were given away this year – 11 FPJ Management Scholarships, and five HEF Scholarships. From this year onwards, the HEF started a new award christened Sri Pralhad P. Chhabria Memorial Award for Entrepreneurship instituted by Prof Aruna Katara, President I²IT, Pune, in the memory of her (late) father, Sri Pralhad P Chhabria, Founder Chairman of Finolex Group of Industries.

After the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, Prof. Parag Amin, senior member of HEF, who hosted the ceremony, set the field open in his own style with a couplet from poet Kabir. Prof. RSS Mani, founder member, HEF and Vice President Institutional Development, ITM Group of Institutions talked of how education had the power to change the world around us. He added, “In education, we need more of collaboration among institutions rather than competition.”

Dr. A. K. Sen Gupta, Founder and Convener, HEF, provided the history of the awards in brief and spoke of how opportunities can be offered to deserving students in various ways. Taking a step in this direction, this year, HEF offered one of its scholarships to a very promising student of class 10 at Sarwaswati Prasar School in Navi Mumbai, who has lost her father. He also spoke of the challenges faced by B-schools and students today, especially in finding the balance among knowing, doing and being. He added that a teacher needs to be accessible in and outside class, saying, “A teacher’s role today is to manage the emotions and expectations of the students.”

Taking the though in education further, Abhishek Karnani, Director of The Free Press Group, said that education is the best the best opportunity for youngsters today. He added that opportunities knock on doors all the time, people need to recognise them. “Every morning brings to us the opportunity to learn more, love more and contribute to build a better world. Most of us don’t know how to use this gift of a new day. We have to live our lives not by default, but by design so that we can live a life of learning, of compassion and of purpose,” he said.

Dr P V Ramana, Chairman, ITM Group of Institutions, among many other ideas, talked of teaching, learning, running institutions and innovation. “The world of teaching and learning is changing like you never know! There is much to learn beyond B-schools,” he said to the students.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Ranjeev Manrao, founding member of HEF. Dr. Sen Gupta also thanked the core team members. The event was attended by over 150 delegates comprising mainly of faculty and students from various institutions. Dignitaries like Dr. N. M. Kondap, irector General – Rajasthani Sammelan’s Deviprasad Goenka Management College of Media Studies and Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies; Dr. Sanjay Muthal, Executive Director, RGF Executive Search; and Dr. Dinesh Harsolekar, Director, IES Management College & Research Centre.

The Free Press Journal Management Scholarship winners Say…

The awardees narrate their experience of education as well as the process of application, the nervousness at the interviews and the excitement of winning

Bhavi Jain ITM Business School, Kharghar

I was not nervous at the interview since I had to apply my knowledge of everything that I have done until now. Also, reading the newspaper regularly helped me. It was the day-to-day learning which enabled me to do well. I will use the scholarship to pay me fees next year and after my MBA I want to work in the field of banking since it is growing fast. I have graduated with Bachelor’s in Banking and Insurance so it will help me to use all the knowledge that I have.

Neha Mulherkar, SMJV’s CKSV Institute of Management, Vadodara

I have a commerce background, but I was still nervous with all the interview screening rounds that I had in college itself. Before this, I have never had an opportunity to win any scholarship, so I was elated when I was informed that I had won this scholarship. I shared the good news with my parents immediately. After my graduation in finance, I want to look for a job opportunity in the banking sector since that will provide the job security that I am looking for.

Palak Pota, SMJV’s CKSV Institute of Management, Vadodara

I was nervous about the interview rounds in college even though I knew that only the fundamentals of finance and accounting will be tested, but then I think it was okay. When my teacher called to inform me that I had won, I was jumping with joy at the opportunity to go to Mumbai and collect the award. I informed my parents and sought permission to travel to Mumbai. My parents are very proud of me. I want to use the scholarship amount to advance my career and expand my knowledge.

Manisha Patil, Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies

I love finance and I have always secured distinction in my years of education in commerce. I have opted for MBA after four years of work experience in the purchase department of an organisation and I have built skills around accounting. I was overjoyed to hear from the director of my institute that I have won this. I really need the financial assistance. This year, my mother has actually sold of some gold to help me with the fees, but next year, at least I can use this amount.

Ali Lakdawala, IES Management College and Research Centre

I was quite certain of my knowledge in the field of finance since I have graduated with a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance, so I really did not need to prepare for the scholarship interview. Of course I was excited when I was informed that I won, and I am going to use the amount towards paying my fees. As a finance enthusiast, I want to build a career in capital markets or in core finance, but since the industry is so dynamic, let’s see where the future takes me!

Makarand Mahapadi, D Y Patil College of Business Management

I have a good academic record and a year of work experience before my MBA, so I was pretty sure of my knowledge when I went for the interview. In fact, my friend came to know before me and he informed me that I had won. I was overjoyed, since it represents an achievement of success. I like reading graphs and statistics and want to become a business analyst in the future. Since I am tutoring other students for earning my fees, this amount will help me.

Jagdish Bang, K J Somaiya Institute of Management and Research

After my engineering in electronics and communication, I worked in the IT industry and then opted for an MBA. Now, I am interested in finance and want to build my career in financial services like investment banking or become a business

analyst in the IT sector, considering my engineering background. When I was informed of winning the scholarship, I was back at home in Rajasthan for the Dilwai break, so the news brought a lot of cheer. I intend to use the amount to complete a few professional certifications.

Juilee Oroskar, Oriental Institute of Management

I had no chance to prepare for the interview and since I was already aware of the competition, I had in fact not even considered myself. I was nervous during the interview, but I was also frank. Even when

I was informed that I won, I was in disbelief that from among the six applicants in my college I won! I think my diligence and ability got me the scholarship. I am already working in banking and I will choose a job opening that enables me to bring a better life for my family.

Nisha Shanbhag, SIES College of Management Studies

The chairperson of my institute encouraged me to apply, and I am so glad I did! The minute my teacher called me to inform me that I had won, I told my parents. I am very fond of accounting and finance ever since I took up my education in the commerce field. In future too, I want to work in accounting or risk or treasury or risk management. Basically, I am open to working in any of the core finance fields. I intend to save the scholarship amount and use it later.

Kinnari Gandhi, Aditya Institute of Management

Finance is such an attractive field for me, so when my professor announced the details of the scholarship, I filled out the form. Since I have graduated in commerce and have two years of work experience, I used that knowledge in the interview process. In fact, after graduating, I want to work in portfolio management or risk management. I was at home when I received a mail stating that I had won a scholarship, and I told my parents and friends immediately! I want to save the amount to use for fees next year.

Nisha Gowda, Vivekanand Institute of Management Studies and Research

After reading the notice in college, several students applied for the scholarship. The college conducted a written test and selected a few of us to be sent for the personal interview. I have some background in finance since I have a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance, and I also want to make my career in accounting. I was in a lecture when the dean called for me to inform me that I had won and congratulated me! I went straight back to the lecture and informed my parents only during the break!

HEF Scholarship winners

Ayushi Jain, ITM Business School, Kharghar

My interview process felt fairly easy since I had read up on all my previous years’ material and read the newspapers regularly to keep up with the world. After my Bachelor’s in Computer Application, I found that I am good with numbers and I have an interest in finance. I want to become a financial analyst in the future. I was in the middle of preparing for an exam when my friend informed me that I had won the scholarship. I was happily surprised and told my parents immediately.

Sakshi Biswas, Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies

I had the merit and I applied, but at the time I was not aware of the rigorous process! At the thought of going to SIECOMS Nerul for the interview (I live in Bhayender) I was excited since I love going to new places and interacting with people. The interview was a great experience since the panelists were extremely knowledgeable. I also made friends among the other interviewees. For me, the whole experience matters. The director of my institute called and congratulated me and announced in all the departments. I was delighted!

Siddhi Sawant, IES Management College and Research Centre

When I saw the other participants at the time of the interview I highly doubted that I stood a chance for the scholarship since all of them were qualified! I was in the cafeteria when my professor came and told me I had won, and I was extremely happy. There were four other people from IES, and I had won, so it was a moment of pride. I have completed my Bachelor’s in Financial Markets degree and want to further that knowledge of capital markets into a career. That is my main domain.

Ruhi Nathani, SIES College of Management Studies

I was a bit nervous at the interview, but then I banked on my capabilities. I have chosen the field of finance to explore the possibilities after my graduation in biotechnology. I had always thought of pursuing an MBA, and since I did not want to opt for a master’s in biotechnology, I chose finance as my specialisation. I haven’t yet thought of which

particular branch of finance I want to work in the future, but I am open to opportunities. I was happy when I learnt I won the scholarship.

Roopali Rathod, Saraswati Prasar School, Navi Mumbai

I was not even aware that I was being considered for a scholarship like this until my teacher told me that I had won! I was surprised and extremely happy since it reduces the financial burden on my mother, who is a single parent, after my father passed away. In school too, I am good at my academics, but I am also on the forefront of the extra-curricular activities.

I am going to use this amount towards my fees. I want to take up commerce and work in banking, and become a manager. I also want to take the MPSE exams.

Sri Pralhad P Chhabria Memorial Award for Entrepreneurship Winners

Aditi Ghode, Founder – Erst Media LLP

Equipped with six master’s level degrees from India and abroad, Ghode has been in the business conferences and exhibitions sphere since 2012. She is an educationist who has now turned entrepreneur. A former IT professor with a passion for teaching and learning, she quit her job and went ahead to be a conference producer with a media company. She also freelances conference production for large conferences outside India. She has established her own facility management company, Vertex Facility Management Services, which deals with providing integrated facility management services to the corporate sector.

Neeraj Magnani, Founder –M/s Entesla

Mangnani is an alumni of Finolex Academy of Management and Technology, Ratnagiri. He graduated in electronics engineering in 2005 and in 2009, along with two other alumni of the same institute Amit Shinde and Yash Darad, founded M/s Entesla. At its core, M/s Entesla is an embedded system solutions provider enterprise comprising 20 professionals in hardware design, firmware design, software design, mechanical design, electronics production and testing with offices in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Hyderabad. The verticals it caters to are custom design, monitoring and control, connectivity, internet of things, pharmaceutical test equipment and embedded development tools.